Steamed buns and cocktails don’t always go hand in hand, but that’s exactly what diners will find at this Clayton addition, where general manager Ben Bauer (formerly of the Libertine) pairs cocktails with Asian-inspired fare.

Reprising his parents’ iconic restaurant, which closed in 2011, chef Michael Del Pietro recreates such favorites as Spaghetti alla Angela (named after his sister, Angela), as well as new dishes that dovetail with the classics.

The popularity of this Webster Groves restaurant will persist long after the two patios close for the season. Consider the Northern Michigan–inspired dishes, including pierogis and smoked whitefish dip.

The history of St. Louis breweries is on giant labels on the walls. Many of the ingredients are local, and you can supervise your own pizza construction. Calzones, hot sandwiches, and salads won’t disappoint. And the beer selection is endless.

This welcoming place caters to locals with a bent for inventive dishes such as wild boar ravioli and braised rabbit. The atmosphere is charming, and the location is among the most historic in the city.

The menu is described as “scratch-made American pub food with a modern twist,” one being that half the items are vegetarian (the veggie ragout with trout is flat-out delicious) while the other half are g’pub staples like poutine.

Dry-aged beef, luxurious seafood, and meticulous service are specialties at this high-end addition to the Clayton dining scene. The wine selection is award-winning. At lunchtime, consider the lobster-and-crab burger.

A hidden gem, Café Osage is tucked into a lush urban nursery where many of the café’s ingredients are grown in season. Lunch options include the Brie LT. Breakfast on the sun-dappled patio is a perfect start to the day.

$$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, American, Best Restaurants 2018, Central West End

Among the reasons to visit: candlelight, starched linens, a tucked-away courtyard patio, impeccable service, great drinks, and seasonal cuisine, including English pea risotto and wild-caught striped bass.

$$$$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, Best Restaurants 2018, Central West End, New American

Led by former Taste chef Matt Daughaday and the city’s most credentialed sommelier, Andrey Ivanov, a crackerjack team of culinarians serves amped-up “neighborhood restaurant” fare with a beverage program to match.

“Meat-friendly” hardly covers it. The place has its own butchery, just in case the braised pork, beef ribs, and bacon jam aren’t enough. The thick-cut bacon in the to-go case at the Webster location is as good as any in town.

Cozy, retro-romantic, and chockfull of nooks, the Fox & Hounds is where you’ll stop for a cocktail and end up staying for more, such as the Liverpool wings, grilled salmon, or chocolate gooey butter cake.